Proverbs 23:29 is a rhetorical question meant to highlight the negative consequences of excessive drinking. Let's break it down:
"Who has woe?" Woe refers to deep sorrow, misery, or distress.
"Who has sorrow?" Similar to woe, sorrow implies grief, sadness, or regret.
"Who has strife?" Strife means conflict, contention, or quarreling.
"Who has complaints?" Complaints suggest grievances, grumbling, or dissatisfaction.
"Who has needless bruises?" Needless bruises indicate injuries that could have been avoided, likely from accidents or fights.
"Who has bloodshot eyes?" Bloodshot eyes are a physical sign of intoxication or lack of sleep, often associated with excessive drinking.
The verse is pointing out that all these negative consequences—sorrow, conflict, injury, and physical signs of intoxication—are associated with excessive drinking. It's setting the stage for the verses that follow, which directly condemn drunkenness and warn against its allure. The rhetorical question implies the answer is obvious: these things happen to those who indulge too much in alcohol.
In essence, the verse is a warning about the destructive nature of drunkenness, highlighting its impact on one's emotional, social, and physical well-being.
Proverbs 23:29 is a rhetorical question meant to highlight the negative consequences of excessive drinking. Let's break it down:
"Who has woe?" Woe refers to deep sorrow, misery, or distress.
"Who has sorrow?" Similar to woe, sorrow implies grief, sadness, or regret.
"Who has strife?" Strife means conflict, contention, or quarreling.
"Who has complaints?" Complaints suggest grievances, grumbling, or dissatisfaction.
"Who has needless bruises?" Needless bruises indicate injuries that could have been avoided, likely from accidents or fights.
"Who has bloodshot eyes?" Bloodshot eyes are a physical sign of intoxication or lack of sleep, often associated with excessive drinking.
The verse is pointing out that all these negative consequences—sorrow, conflict, injury, and physical signs of intoxication—are associated with excessive drinking. It's setting the stage for the verses that follow, which directly condemn drunkenness and warn against its allure. The rhetorical question implies the answer is obvious: these things happen to those who indulge too much in alcohol.
In essence, the verse is a warning about the destructive nature of drunkenness, highlighting its impact on one's emotional, social, and physical well-being.